I understand how annoying it can be when new people post without searching but it appears I missed it.

psylow, I didn't mean to imply I , or anyone else, was annoyed. Quite the opposite, as a matter of fact. I love to answer questions and try to help others avoid problems and issues; because I find them so often. I very much appreciate having a step-by-step thread to follow as an example and thought you might as well as a "complete Newbie" (Sometimes, I feel like I am not too much removed from being a newbie after seeing all the masters on this site!)

If you only knew how annoying I am about asking technique questions; often times stating "Type slow so I can understand" or "speak to me like I'm a kid"!

So no offense meant - we are all learners here, me moreso than others.

Ask away and know that you are more than welcome and the only stupid question is the one un-asked!

Thanks for the response. I did quite a few searches and looked through several threads but was unable to find anything on this kit which I thought was odd. Perhaps I was not searching for the proper keywords. I understand how annoying it can be when new people post without searching but it appears I missed it.

No offense to any other builder, but this is probably the best thread ever on accurizing the 650 kit! Crowe-t didn't light it or anything, but everything else is spot on; and the results, IMHO, speak for themselves.

You can use the search function and type in "1/650" in case you hadn't already figured that out. Many threads or examples of the finished models should pop up!

Keep going! As this one was my first in decades and got me going again in the hobby, I have a special love for the kit and any thread building it!

No offense to any other builder, but this is probably the best thread ever on accurizing the 650 kit! Crowe-t didn't light it or anything, but everything else is spot on; and the results, IMHO, speak for themselves.

You can use the search function and type in "1/650" in case you hadn't already figured that out. Many threads or examples of the finished models should pop up!

Keep going! As this one was my first in decades and got me going again in the hobby, I have a special love for the kit and any thread building it!

From the looks of the windows in the saucer and how precise they are, I don't see you having any issues with the officer's lounge.

Just a small question about the main engines. Most builders of this model (no matter the scale) seem to attach the pylons to the secondary hull first and then mount the engines, yet you put the engines on first before attaching the pylons. Any particular reason why?

Not saying it's wrong, just wondered if there was an advantage to doing it your way.

After a three month build, I'm doing the final shoot of the Maquis Raider. Here's a brief summary of the build which can be found in the WIP section of SFMA:

* This Monogram kit is a 1995 vintage kit at a scale of 1/323. There are few parts and the build is pretty simple* DLM aftermarket clear resin parts for engine lighting* Starling Technologies modified Defiant nav/strobe/torpedo card* About 24 inches of LED strip lighting, 4 marker LEDs, 1 strobe LEDs and four nav fiber optic "lights"* The Maquis decals for the ship fins and base came off the internet, as did the Voyager-looking crew in the windows* Tamiya paints primarily used for base coat and Vallejo acrylics for accents* There are three coats of gray "wash" over the entire ship* The gooseneck mount is from Sweetwater music supply, and the galvanized base is a planter repurposed from Hobby Lobby

All in all, an enjoyable build. Only a little seamwork, mostly around the hull halves. The fun starts with the painting and deciding on the paint scheme for all the raised panels and other detials.

Special thanks to Stan at Starling Technologies who modified his firmware to provide a demo mode where the torpedoes will fire randomly once the torpedo putton is pushed.